Record-changing device for phonographs



Sept. 10, 1929. .1. c. READE ETAL 1,727,731

RECORD CHANGING DEVICE FOR PHONOGRAPHS Filed Jan. 3, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 10, 1929. J. c. READ: E'r Ax. 1,727,731

RECORD emmers@ nsvxcs r'on rnonoannrns Filed aan. s, 192s s sheets-sheet 2 Sept. 10, 1929. .1. c. READE :TAL

l l RECORD CHANGING DEVICE FOR PHONOGRAPHS Filed Jan. 3, A192B 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 200 /Nf/VTOR a WQ.

Sept. 10, v1929. J. c. READE Er AL 1,727,731

RECORD CHANGING DEVICE FOR PHONOGRAPHS Filed Jan. 3. 192B 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 SePt- 10, 1929 J. c. READE Er AL RECORD CHANGING DEVICE von raonoemrns Filed Jan. 3, 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 #ma 7// d. w we Z 2 R w W., www 4 mi: J- www f. TM L Dini ./:io i l 7, 34 Z mm wm w.. 6U m r a 3 .m W, 0 ,0 67/ fwn/@.m/ /l /,/f I

Sept. l0, 1929. J. c. READE Er AL 1,727,731

`RECQRD CHANGING nnvrcz ron PHoNoaR/misv Filed Jan. 3. 1928 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Sept. ivo9 narran FIJI) een com; connnievvoon, .aan ernannte aannam?. arsenic, or Warneton armenio, @amena api-amaca site a, reza. sensi as. maare.

' i5 operating mechanism.

Fig. 2 1s a vertical section through Fig. 1.V

Fig. 3 1s a plan view on line 3-3 Fig. 2 and showing the parts broken a-Wav to-exhihit the interior construction l Fig. d is a sectional plan view on line 4 4 FigsQ.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View through the main casing; showing the interior mechanism in elevation.

Fig, 6 is anenlarged detail plan view of l parts of Fig. 4 showing the main operating mechanism and the disc slides and stops. Fig.' 7 is an enlarged sectional view on line 7-7 Fig. 5. i

3@ Fig. 8 is an .enlargedsectional detail elevation of the mechanism for operating the stops.

l Fig. 9 is a sectional detail showing the upper stops, and means for actuating the same operating from the mechanism' shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the upper stop cani and the adjacent parts coacting there- Wit-h.

Figll is a detail view of the lower stop cam and the adjacent parts coacting there- Fig, 12 is a sectional detail' of the mechanisrn for controlling the1 swinging yof the table arm. l

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail view of the means for returning the .tone arm to its initialposition and the 'stops coacting therewith.

inexpensive construction whereby al Fig'. le is a detail vietv of the table arm counter weight.

Fig. 15 is Wiring diagram. whereby the tone arin adjustable stop is controlled hy the record fed into the machine.

5 Fig. 16 is a sectional plan view extending 5 longitudinally through the table arm supporting shaft.

4 Fig. 17 is a. detaii of the latch arm employed in connection With our disc turning 6@ device.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged detail of the gear Wheel 20 and adjacent parts.

Fig. 19 is a perspective detail of one 'of the lower stops 158 and the parts carrying @5 the saine,

in the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding Aparts in each figure.

A1 indicates the main cabinet containing the playing table, tone arm and record'interchanging mechanism coacting therewith. 2 is an upward extension to the cabinet containing the record feeding mechanism provided with a door 2X through which the records are inserted. 3 and e are upper and lower frames secured Withinkthe extension 2 of the cabinet and in which are supported our record feeding mechanism.

Each frame 3 and d is substantially T- shaped in form, the vertical and horizontal arm of the T being formed bv U-shaped portions 5, 6 and 7. lin the portion 5 ofthe upper frame 3 'are journalled shafts 8 and 9,

corresponding shafts being journalled in the corresponding portion of the lower frame Li; 10 and 11 are shafts journalled in the frame portion 6 and 12 ,and 13 are shafts journalled in the frame portion 7, the frame t being provided with corresponding; shafts. w rlhe shaft-12 of the lower frame is the main actuating shaft of the feed mechanism. rlhe shaft 12 and shaft 9.of the frame 3 are connected together lhv intermeshing hevelled gears 12 and 9X and the opposite @5 end of the shaft ,9 and shaft 11 by intermeshing bevelled gears and 11". Each shaft 8, 9, 10,11, 12 and 13 of the upper and lower frames 3 and d is each provided with spaced apart sprocket gears 14 and 15 on i90 which are carried endless sprocket chains opposing the-ball race 34 hereinhefore de- 16 and 17, the chains assuming a rectangular formation as clearly indicated in Figure 2 and thereby providlng a. pair of oppositely disposed vertical runsbetween which the records are held'as hereinafter described.

To each pair of spaced apart chains 16 and 17 are secured cross bars 18 equally spaced apart around the chain and forming t ree endless conveyors A, B and C. Each bar 18 is provided with a pair of parallel ledges 18X and 18, the ledges 18X of the conveyors, A, B and C being spaced -apart a required distance to receive a 12 'record and the ledges 18 a l0 record.

From the foregoing it will Ybe yseen that when the door 2x is opened a record receiving rack vformed by the bars 18 is directly to the inside of the door which will hold a series of disc records 19 in vertical series so that as the ratchet mechanism of the conveyors A, B and C is rotated in unison by a step by step movement the records 19 are successively carried down to be discharged at the lower end of the conveyors to drop onto a record receiving table hereinafter described. l

The shaft l2 of the lowerl frame 4 is provided with a sprocket gear 20 which is freely mounted thereon and with a ratchet gear 21 which is secured thereto, '22 is a ratchet dog pivoted upon the sprocket wheel 20 so as to engage with the ratchet wheel 21, being spring pressed in engagement therewith` by a 'suitable spring. 23 isl a vertically movable rackheld in guides 24 and spring pressed in its downward position by a spring 25, the lower end being provided with'a frictionl roller 26 bearing against the table arm hereinafter described.

27 and 27x are tubulartable arm supporting shafts. The outer end of the shaft 27 is mounted in a bearing standard 28. The outer end of the shaft 27 X extends through a bearing standard 29. 30 is a sleeve shaft mounted freely upon the shaft 27", the sleeve shaft 30 being journalled in the bearing 29. The shafts 27 and 27X form two portions of one shaft, the abutting ends of such portions being spaced apart and connected together by a connecting sleeve 31 forming the hub portion of the tubular table supporting arm 32 which extends radially therefrom and is provided at its outer end with an upturned portion 32* provided at its upper end with a spider 33 in the outer periphery of which -is formed a concentric balll race 34 in which the balls 35 of a ball bearing run.

36 is the playing table provided with a central orice 37. 38 is a hollow supporting member secured centrally to the lower face of the table 36 and is provided with an annular flange 39 provided with a `ball race scribed.

1 It will thus be seen that the playing table is free to revolve upony 'the upwardly extending portion 32x of the table supporting arm 32.

40 is the main shaft from whichthe playing table is rotated, ,such shaft being driven from a motor 41 or other suitable source of power and motor shaft 40". The shaft 40 extends longitudinally centrally through the shaft 27 X into the sleeve portion 31 of the table arm A32. 42 are bearings formed in the table arm 32 in which is Journalled a shaft 43 extending longitudinally through `the table arm and provided at its inner end with a bevelled gear 44. meshing with a bevelled gear 45 secured to the main shaft 40. 46 is a bevelled -gear secured to thesopposite end of the shaft 43. 47 is a vertical shaft journalled in the spider 33 and secured at its upper end in the playing table 36 and projecting upwardly therefrom as indicated at 47 so as to pass through the central ori# fice 19 of the disc record supported upon the playino' table. 48 is a bevelled gear secured to the lower end of the shaft 47 and meshing with the bevelled gear 46. It will thus be seen that the playing table 36 may be coritinuously revolved so as to play the recor 49 is the record receiving table ylocated intermediately of thel length of the table supporting arm 32( and connected rigidly therewith by a suitably formed base or stem 50. The record receiving table is provided with a spicular projection 5l adapted to pass through the central orifice of the record received upon the table when discharged from the feed mechanism hereinbefore described.

The endless conveyors of the feed mechanism travel in the direction of arrow, see Fig. 2, and as the lowermost record of the series is brought to. the dotted position it is freed from its support so as to drop vertically onto, the record receiving table .49 carried by the table supporting arm 32 which' at this point in the operation is in the horizontal position.

52 is a horizontal wall located in the up per portion of the main cabinet and provided with orii'ices 52y and 520 from which the playing table 36 and record receiving table 39 respectively project when the table supporting arm is in its normal or hori- 4and 68, the spring' having 'flanged innerend y30" of which is controlled by scribe.

di. is n contact carried by the from which extends a circuit wire 62 forming part of e circuitiiereinefter referred tone crm is en inclined runway similar to the inclined runway 58 hereinbefore described, but sloping in the opposite direction.

The `enacting; arm 63 is provided with e carriage 6 9 'similar to the carriage 56 carried by the"` tone arm. rthe coectin f erin is provided at its tree end with e recor groove engaging finger which is swung upon the end of the coacting arm and adapted t0 slide over the central or smooth portion or the record into engagement with the inner convolution of the pieying Groove ot the reeord. When the playing table un d disc 19 carried by the table crm is raised so es to lift the finger 70 and the record needle 55, the respective carriages 56 undl 69cm carried out of engagement withv the slideweys 58 'just sucient strength to ,carry thev end of the ringer 70 engaging the smooth surface of the record over such smooth surface into 'engagement with' thepleying groove. When the playing of the record onthe playing table is' completed the needle. 55 is carried to the inner convolution ci the playing groove and consequently carries the contact 61 of the tone erin .into engagement with the Contact {66 ci the enacting arm when in the groove enffsging position so as to complete e circuit which will hereinafter be referred to.

'il is e solenoid provided with e solenoid core 72 through which extend-s a shaft 73 which is connected to thecore 7 2 by e feet-her key 7d. f 75 is a. gear secured tesuppleniental or motor shaft e X in longitudinal alignment with the main shaft 40 and mounted in a longitudinal orifice 40" inthe end of the main shaft. 76 is a gear secured to the shaft 73 and meshing with the gear 75. 77 is e short shaft journulled in the stenderd ofthe bearing 29 end provided et its outer-end with e gear 78 and fet its op` posite end with a gebr pinion 79. 80 is e gear secured to the core. 72 so as to be carried by 'the core in and 'ontof engsgementwiththe'geer 78. 8l is a. geerse4 cured to the. sleeve 30 and meshing with the pinion 79. l82 is an. eccentric towhich the the sleeve shaft 30 is secured. 83 is e. Strap extending around the eccentric 82 and provided with en erm 'completion of i. oppositeend with. an erin 890 pivotaliy connected 92 to the erin y The iever 89 is pivotelly connected et one end es indicated et 91 to the linlr 87! end' et the opposite end es indicated et 993 to 'the erm 8e. 93 is egeur segment secured to the sleeve portionl forming the base of' tbe teble sup'uorting arm and meshingiwith the 'gc-:er recit When the soienoid'l is energized by the the circuit therethrough due to the engagement of the contacts (il end 66 ciA the tone end coacting erins respectively,

the solenoid core 72 is drawn in the direction` .y

of err-ow (Fig. 6) carrying the geni SQ into engagement with. the geur 78 and tuereby producing a driving engagement irorn the motor shaft 40" through the' gears 75 end i6 to the shaft 'M rotating the 80 connected thereto by the feather `key connection, end thereby driving the gear 7% end 'sbei't 77 end gear nion 79 meshing with the gee-r 8l secure i to the shaft sleeve 30 to which. the eccentric 82 is secured. By this ineens the eccentrlcis revolved' thereby tilting the lever S9 connected to the erm4 84. so es to curry the link 87 and the rack 86 upward and thereby swing the table sup.- portin erin downward by means of the intermes ing connection between the rech 86 end the gear segment4 $3.

We will new describe the means by which the drive to the mein shaft of the playing table drive is broken duringl the downward swing of the table supporting erm.

94e is a. clutch member secured to the su plernentel shaft 4:0. 95 is e ldngitudinel y rcovebie clutch member provided with e. feather hej/ connection to the mein shaft e0. 96 is e. cern'secured to the end of the tubuler shaft 2.7. 97 is e' springextending between the' cern and' the clutch member 95. The clutch member 95 is provided with en annuler groovel 95 in which freely tits a. ring 9'? connected as indicated at 98 to e cani lever '99, one arm of which beers against the periphery of the cam 96 and the other portion ulcruins against the standard i60.

lit will thus be seen that when the table supporting erm is swung downward the cam 96 operates against the lever 99 so as to draw the clutch member 95 out of engagement with the clutch member 94: end thus break the drive between the geer- 75 and the 'main sheit ed. .i 4 f 101 and 102 are parallel guides which extend downwardly from the 'top of the main cabinet in an inclined direction preferably i discharge through a discharge orifice 105 in the wall of the cabinet into a suitable receptacle. The'rcceived record is held by upwardly extending' spring stop fingers 106 or 107 the tableqarm swinging down into the dotted position shown in Figure 2.

lVhen the table supporting arm is again swung upward the lower stops 153 are first projected forward into the slideways 103 and 104 by mechanism which will herein-KK after be described and the stops 106 and 107 depressed by mechanism which will also be hereinafter described. This will perniit the received record to slide down the slideways until engaged by the stops 158 which will hold the record in such aiposition that when the table supporting arm swings upwardlyI the playing table 36 will engage the lower.

face of the recordvand the projecting portion 47X of the shaft 47 will pass through the central portion of therecord and pick it off the slideways and carry it up to the playing position.

We will now describe the mechanism by which the upper and lower stops are actuated.

The base of the grooves forming the slideways 103 and 104 are recessed so as to receive the stops 106 and 107 which consist of strips of spring band secured at their lower ends within the recess by rivets 106 and 107X and cut at their'opposite ends as indicated at 1069 and 1070 to fit the periphery lof the disc record.

108. is an orifice extending through the slideways in alignment with each of the grooves and from which projecting portions 109 secured to the stops 106 and 107 extend.

110 is a bearing piece secured beneath each slideway. 111 is a cam member pivoted atV 112 to the bearing piece 110, the peripheral portion of the cam member bearing against the downwardly projecting portion 109 of each nger 106 and 107. The c'am member 111 is provided with an arm .1.13. 114 is an operating /cam mounted freely upon the shaft 27. The cam 114 is provided with a concentric slot 115. 116 is a ange member secured to the shaft f27 and from which extends a pin 117 into the slot 115. 118 is a slide bar held in abearing 119 and provided with a cani roller 120 bearing against the periphery of the cam 114. 121 is an arm secured to a rod 122 journalled in a suitable support such as a portion of one of the standards of the bearings 28 and 29 or any other suitable support. 123 is a rod pivoted at 124 to the arm 121. 121X is an arm also secured to the rod 122 and pivotally connected at 125 to the rear end of the slide bar 118. 125x is a bearing member depending from each of the parallel slideways 102 and 103. 126 lis a. rod portion slidable longitudinally with the bearing 125X and pivotally connected at its upper end to the rod The opposite end of the rod 126 is connected by a link 127 to the lower end of the cam arm 113. 123 is a compression spring extending between the bearing member 125X and the enlargement forming the pivotal connection between the rod 126 and the link 127v to exert a downward pressure longitudinally of the rod 126. .v

y 1t will of course be understood the opposite end of the rod -122 is provided with dan arm for actuating the rods similar vto that above described beneath the other guideway 101. j

It will thus be seen that when the table supporting arm is swung downwardly -the cam 114 will be carried upwardly when the pin 117 has travelled into engagement with the opposite endof the slot 115.v also be seen thatwhen the table. supporting arm is swung downwardly the stop mechanism above referred to will not be operated until the pin 117 has reached/the opposite end of the slot 115 so as to permit the table supporting arm to pass between the guideways 101 and 102 to leave the record in the guideways and support it thereon and against the upwardly projecting stops 106 or 107 retaining the record in position in the slideways.

l/Ve will now describe the mechanism by which the lower stops 108 and 109 are operated.

It will' 129 is 'a cam similar to the cam 114 and l set 901 degrees from the cam 114 and mounted freely upon the shaft 27. The cam 129 is provided with a concentric slot 130similar to the slot and into which projects a pin 131 from a carrying member 132 secured tonthe shaft 127. 133 are stationary guide lrods forming part of a bracket 134 secured to the wall of the cabinet. 135 are sleeves slidable upon the guide rods 133 and connected together by an interposed portion 136 carrying a cam roller 137 coacting with the cam 129. suitable bearings and provided at each end with arms 139 and with an arm 140. A link rod 141 is pivotally connected to each arm 140. 142 is a slide rod similar to the slide rod 126, the upp r end of the slide 1rod 142 being pivotally connected to the rod 138 is a rod journalled inessersi 'lei-1., 143 and 1M are suppleniental standards depending irons each oi the gnideways 101 and 102 in proximity to their lower ends and between which eX- tends depending web portions M5 and 146.

such 'weh portions extending above thenolitsl head of the T is formed by guideway.

sections 152. The uislmped member 149 is held in position by .a tension spring 153. The inner face of the iT-shaped member is provided with a sheet metal covering :torining curved surface 15e for a purpose which will hereinafter appear.

155 is slot formed in the base of the guide section 15% and'set in' a diagonal direction' as indicated by dotted lines in Figure d. 156 is a slideway extending in a di` direction outwardly from the guidewaus 101 and 102 157 is an opening, formed each guideway section 152. set in the diion of the slideways .156. 158 are the stop members which are slidable withn le slideways 156 *through the oriiioe 15? provided with curvedl edge portions 158 and 1589 which extend: into the slides 103y and to forni the lower stops. 159 is a swivel mounted in. the stop member 158 so to entend through the slot 155 and provided atits lower end with an oriiice 160.

are bearing members extending outwardly from the vertical portion of the tf-shaped member 149. 162 1s a rocking rod 3cm-nailed in such bearing members and `provided at 'its upper end with an arm 163 extending through the slot 150 and through the orifice 16C-of the swivel 159. 104 is an arm secured to the lower end of the rod 162 and provided at its opposite end with onori-f l iice 165 through which the rod 1&8 extends.

165 and-167 are collars secured to the rod 1&8 each side oni the arm 1611 a sni'cient distance apart to allow ont a free movement oi arn 16a as it is swung in one direction o or the other by the longitudinal movement oi theiod 148.

lii'fhen the table snppontingl arm 32 is seeming, downwardly. the cam 129 is carried upward by the engagement of the pin 131 with the opposite end of the slot 130. When this niovementloi1 the cam takes place the cam rollerl and the member 136 and sleeves 155'are carried rearwardly so as to swingl the arm 140 a corresponding direction rocking the rod 138 and thereby carrying the erin 130 forwardly and the rod M1 connected thereto longitudinally in the saine direction against the pressure of the spring 168.

llt will thus be seen that the collare 1% and ii'are carried in the same direction so as to swing the arm 164 and thereby rook the rod wen/inging the arm 163 in a cora responding direction to carry the stop members 158 into'position to intercept the record sliding down the siideways 103 and 104e when the upper stops 106 and 107 are depressed to :free the record.

is the -tabie supporting arm 'is swim upwardly the pla ing table, when the record is positioned by t e lower stops, engages the lower face of the record, the projecting por tion 117* passing throu h the central orifice of the record, the recor being thereby lifted and carried to its playing positionr As has been previously described the tone arm and needle have been carried by the inclined slideways totheir normal position or initial playing positionA `and `therefore when the playing table with the new record carried thereon is raised to its playing position the needle enters the groove to start the playing oi the piece. Similarly the co acting arm 63 as Asoon as it is lifted from its slideway 68 is carried bythe tension spring to its initial .position to en age `.the inner end 'oi the record. groove.

- hen the table supporting arm is carriedy back to its normal or horizontal position it engages the roller 26 forcing4 the rack bar 23 verti cally upwardly so as to rotate the gear 2C@ and thereby rotate the ratchet wheel 21by` pawl 22, and thereby rotate y means of the the shaft 12 to operate the feed mechanism to carry the nest succeeding disc downward 4to discharge onto the receiving table. When the table supporting arm is swung downwardly to change the records the rack 23 is carried downward by the spring 25 the gear 20 revolvingireely by reason of the pawl 22 slipping over the teethof the ratchet'21. 1in order that theiplayng needle may be stopped in the correct position for vplaying either a'10 m12 record We have provided the adjustable supplementalstop 60 hereinn before referred to.; e

1We will now describe the means by which this stopis operated.

'in the slideway 103 we have provided a stationary Contact 169 extending upwardly therefrom., and a spring contact normalx ly out of engagement with the Contact 169 and which is engaged by the peripheryoi' the 12 record at diametrically opposite points as the record is carried upward along the slideway to the pla ing position foren ing the spring contact 1 0 lnto engagement with the stationary Contact so as to close a circuit.

f-the other terminal ofthe battery^171. y circuit wire 175 also extends from the contact 66 through the solenoid 71 to the termi- 171 is a battery or other source of energy for the foregoing circuit. 172 is a wire connecting one terminal of the battery to the stationary contact 169.

The wire 67 leading from the contact 66- of the coacting arm 63 extends at its 'opposite lend to the spring contacts 170. The Wire 62 also hereinbefore described extends from the contact 61 of the tone arm to an electro-magnet 173, a wire 174 extending from 'the' other terminal of the magnet to nal of a battery 176, the other terminal of the battery being connected by a wire 177 to the contact 61 of the tone arm.

178 is the armature ofthe electro-magnet 173 which is connected at its upper end to 'the stop member 60 suitably weighted as indicated at 60X.

It will be readily seen that when a 12 record passes from the slideway to close the contacts 169 and` 179 that the circuit from the battery passes through the electro-inagnet 173 drawing down the armature 178 and the stop'60 so as to permit the tone counter arm to pass further outwardly to engage the stop 59 so as to carry the needle to engage the greater diameter of the record groove -of the 12'" record.

In order to insure that the circuit is maintained closed during the downward swing of the table supporting arm we have rovided a pair of contacts 180 and 181, thecirthe record groove at one side of the record maybe first used and then the record groove on the other side or face used.

Theguideways 101 and 102 at their lower ends are provided with a hinge section 185 whichmay be swung upwardly1 into the dotted position by means of a handle 186 'i locatedat the outside of themachine5 and thereby provide an opening through which the record, freed from the lower stops 108 and 109, will pass insteadof through the ordinary discharge opening 105.

A. downwardly curved Yguideway "186 is located beneath each guideway 101 and 102 with which the lowerperipheral portion of the descending record engages. The upper portion of the record is supported by a lip 187, ,the record successively assuming the positions indicated by dotted lines in F igure 2 so as to turn over and then slide down the slide groves of the guides 186x into the lower guide extensions 186c which are pivotally mounted upon a cross rod 188 which is provided at its outer end with a crank arm.189. 190 is a bell crank, the lower arm 191 of which is connected by a link 192 to the crank ariu 189. 193 is a rod journalled in a bear-ing 194 at one end and in the standard of thebearing 29 at the opposite end. 195 is an arm swung upon a rod 193 and is provided with a segmental orifice 195X into which a pin 195o extends radially from the rod. 196- is a pinvwhich extends laterally from the rack 86 travelling upwardly and downwardly therewith.

It will thus be seen that when the pin 196 is carried upwardly it will engage the arni 195 which will swing freely upwardly, the pin 1950 permitting of this movement. IVlien, however, the pin 196 is carried downwardly or in the reverse direction. it engages the arm 195 swinging such arm downwardly and rocking the rod 193 in the saine direction.

197 is an arm extending from the opposite end of the rod 193, such arm being connected by a link 198 to the other arni 199 of the bell crank 190. By this means the guide section 186X is swung upwardly to the angular position indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2 with the record supported thereon, the record being thereby held in such a position that when the table support ing arm is again swung upwardly from its dotted position it will engage the turned record carrying it upwardly between the guideways 101 and 102. As it passes between such guideways the diamctrically opposite portions of the record will engage the opposing cam faces 154 so'as to force the guide sections outwardly in opposite directions against the pressure of the springs 153 enabling the record to pass upwardly to its playing position.

In order to counterweight the shaft 27 we have provided the following mechanism.

200 is a gear secured to such shaft 27. 201 is a countershaft journalled in bearings on which is secured a gear 202 meshing with the gear 200. Secured Ato the countershaft 201 is a curved arm 203 carrying a counterweight 204C which is freely swung upon a pin 205 carried by the arm 203 By this means as the table supporting arm 32 is swung upwardly the counteracting effect of the counter-weight increases as the arm travels upwardly towards its vertical center.

In order to make the general` operation clearer we will give a short resume of the operation of our device.

The table supporting arm 32 is swung successively downwardly and upwardly. the playedA record being engaged by the inclined .slideways 101 and 02 and discharged through the orifice 105. By the proceeding;-

upward movement of the table arin. 32 the raclg- 23 is operated so as tol simultaneously rotate the conveyors A, B and C to ieed o, new record onto the supplemental 'tableA 49. This new record as the table support-ini;l arm is downwardiy is also received in the gnideways 101 and N2 and held in position by the ripper stops 106 and `107 until the lower-'stops 158* and 158 are brought into the stop position, such 'operation being ei'- i'ected through the cams 114 and 129 which hold the ripper stops/106 and 107 in thestop position and the lower stops 158x and l158" in the withdrawn position during the downward swing of the table supporting erin and the upper stops in the `witlhdrawn position and the lower stops in the stop position during the upward swing of the Vtable supporting arm:

.ds the table supporting arm and the playing table are carried downwardly the tone arm and coactingarm are dropped into' engagement with the inclined slideways 58 and 68 which carry the tone arm and coacting arm apart and the needle oi the tone arm into position to engage a new record. is the table supporting arm is swung upwardly*thel lowervstops are first carried into the stop position and then the upper stops are depressed so as to release the new reeord'which slides down the slideways 103 or 104i into engagement with the lower stops and into position to be engaged lby the playing table as the table siipporting,1

arm swings upwardly. The table supporting arm with the playing table then swings upwardly .to 'the normal position engaging the playing needle and finger of the coactingarm carrying their respective ycarriages free of the inclined slideways 58 and d8.

in order to reverse a two faced recordall it is'necessary to do is to operate the handle 186 to carry the swin `ing section 185 npward to the dotted position shown in Figure 2 and to lock the feed device ilroin ,operationby any suitable means such as a withdrawable pin 206 engaging a progection 206c extending from the gear rack 23 and thereby preventing the downward movement of snchgear rack when the swinging aiin 32 travels vdownwardly and also to loelr the upper stops in the closed position so as to' prevent another record passing down the slidew'ay during theI inverting operation, such locking operation being accomplished by any suitable means such as a withdrawl a e pin 207 engaging a projection 2GB on.

the slide loar118.. The played record when received by the guideways instead of sliding through the oriiice '105 passes through the orifice 'formed by the raised portion of the guideways 185 to pass downwardly and be inverted as itslides onto tle lower guider/Vey section 187, which gnideway section is swung npwardiy to the dotted position automatically the operation of the descending table supporting arm 32 and its coacting iacir 86 so as to hold 'the recordjat suoli an incline' that when the table supporting arm returns on its upward swing` the central projecting portion of the shaft passes through the orifice of the record and such record is received on the face of the playing table and carried upwardly inverted 'to the playby' a series of records may be carried to the f playing table andsuch record removed as it 1s played to permit the 'receiving or a new record on the playing table, and atjthe saine time we have devised simple means whereby a two faced record may be inverted so that' the groove on one face may be utilized and y then the groove on the other face. F

What we claim asour invention 1s l. ln a record changing device' for phonographs., the vcombii'i'ation withy the, playing tablewoii a record receiver, means for feed ing a series of records successively to the receiver', means for discharging the played' record by gravity from the table' and for )carrying the received record. from the receiver to a position to be received by the playing table.

2.'lln a record changing device ror'pnonographs, the combination with the playing table, and tone arm, of, a record receiver, means for feeding a series of records snccessively to the receiver,A means for discharging the played record by gravity from the table and or carrying the received rec ord 'from the receiver to a position to be received by the playing table, and means coacting with the gravity means and actuated by the tone arm when brought to the final playing position or carrying the playing table away ron'i'the played record and into engagement with the received record.

3. ln a record-changing device for phonographs, the combination with the playing table and tone arno9 of; a record receiver, means for *feeding a series of records siiccessively to the receiver, means for discharging' the played record by gravity from the table and J'or carrying the received record from the receiver to a'position to be` lucJ final playing position for carrying the playing table awayY from`the played record and into engagement with the received record, and means for automatically returning the tone arm from the final to the initial playing position.

-l-. In a record changing device for phonographs, the combination with the playingr table, of a record receiver, means for feed-l ing a series of records successively to the receiver, gravity means for discharging the played record from the table and for carrying the received record' from the receiver to a position to be received by the playing table. and means for automatically inverting a. two'iaced record as it is carried to the position to be received by the playing table. t

5. In a record changing device for phonographs, the combination with the playing table, of a record receiver, conveyor mechanismiadapted to hold a series of records one above the other over the receiver, means for automatically operating the conveyor mechanism to successively discharge such records onto the receiver, and means for automatically removing the played record from the playing table and for transferring the received record 4from the receiver to the playing table.

6.*In a device of the class described,'a record feeding device comprising a plurality ot' endless chains having opposing vertical parallel runs, record supporting means carried by such chains and spaced suitable distances apart, and means for revolving the chains in unison to carry the record downwardly to discharge at their lower ends.

7. In a device of the class described, a record feeding device comprising a plurality otendless chains having opposing vertical parallel runs, record supporting means carried by such chains and spaced suitable distances apart and adapted to support records ot' a plurality of-sizes, and means for revolving the chains in unison to carry the record downwardly to discharge at their lower ends.

8. In a device of the, class described, a record feeding device comprising a plurality or' endless chains having opposing vertical parallel runs, horizontal bars supported by the chains and spaced suitable distances apart, and record receiving grooves at the edges of such bars.

9. In a device ofA the class described, a record feeding device comprising a'vplurality of endless chains having opposing vertical' parallel runs, horizontal bars supported, by the chains and spaced suitable distances apart, anda plurality of parallel record re-A ceiving grooves in stepped relation one to the other formed in the edges of the bars.

lO. In a record changing device, a table supporting arm, a receiving table and a playing table carried the arm, means for swinging the arm automatically downwardly and upwardly after the playing' of each record, means for feeding a record onto the 'transferring the received record from the receiving table to the playing table after the discharge of each record from the playing table.

11. In a record changing device, the combination with the tone arm, of a table supporting arm pivotally mounted at one end and a receiving table and playing table carried by the arm, means for swinging the arm automatically downwardly and upwardly at'ter the playing of each record, means for feeding a record 'onto the receiving table when the table supporting arm is in its raised position, means coacting with the arm during its swinging movement for discharging the played record by gravity from the playing table and for transferring the received record from the receiving table to the playing table after the discharge of each record from the playing table, means for imparting a swinging movement to the arln, and means controlled by the position of the tone arm for setting in operation the arm swinging mechanism.

12. In a record changing device, the combination with the tone arm, of a table supporting arm pivotally mounted at one end, a receiving table and a playing table carried by the arm, means for automatically reciprocating the arm on its pivot, means for feeding a record onto the receiving table during each reciprocating movement of the arm` means coacting with the arm during its downward swinging movement and for discharging'the record by gravity from the playing table and for transferring the received record from the receiving table to the playing table, an' arm coacting with the tone arm, a linger carried by the coacting arm normally spring held in engagement with the' inner convolution of the recordl groove, and means actuated 'by the engagement of the tone arm with the coacting arm for actuating the table arm swinging mechanism.

13. In a device of the class describedthe vcombination with the tone arm and a main shaft operated from a suitable source, of a table supporting arm swung at one end, a record receiving table and a playing 'table carried by the arm, and actuated gear train between the main shaft and the swinging` arm, a clutch interposed in such train, a solenoid core carrying the movable clutch member, a contact on the tone arm, a coact- .ing contact, means for supporting the coacting contact normally in spaced relation with the contact of the tone arm and a suitably energized solenoid circuit' adapted to be closed by the engagement with the aforesaid contacts as the tone arm is carried to its final playing position.

14. In` a device of the vclass described, a table supporting arm swung at one end to travel in a vertical plane, ai segmental gear secured to the arm at one end and concentric with its centre of swing, a stationary guide, a rack slidable therein and meshing with the gear segment, means for reciprocating the rack, a tone arm, a contact thereon, a coacting stationary contact, a normally opened circuit leading from such contact, and means operated by the closing of the circuit for operating the rack.

15. In a device of the class described, a table supporting arm swung at one end to travel in a vertical plane, a segmental gear secured to the arm at one end and concentric with its centre of swing, a stationary guide,

a rack slidable therein and meshing with' the gear segment, an eccentric mounted to move independently of the table supporting arm, a strap for. the eccentric, an arm eX- tending from the strap, a lever mounted intermediately of its length and 'connected to the arm at one end, and a link connecting the opposite end of 'the lever to the rack.

16. In a device of the class described, the

vcombination with a tone arm and a table supporting arm -swung at one end to reciprocate in a vertical plane, ofa receiving table and, a playing table carried by the arm, an., operating main shaft, mechanism for reciproca-ting the table supporting arm including a 'driven shaft, a clutch for connecting the main shaft and the driven shaft, a contact carried by the tone arm, a coacting contact, a suitable support forthe coacting contact, a. circuit leading from such contacts, means operated bythe closing of i the circuit for engaging the clutch, means for automatically returning the tone arm back toA normal as the playing table descends, and means for maintaining the circuit closed after the tone arm and coacting' contacts are separated" by the return movement of the tone arm.

17. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a tone arm and a tablen supporting arm swung at one endto reciprocate in a vertical plane, of a receiving table and a playing table carried by the arm, an operating main shaft, mechanism for reciprocating the table arm including a driven shaft,. a clutch for connecting the main shaft and the driven shaft, a contact carried by the tone arm, a coacting contact, a suitable support for the coacting contact, a circuit leading from such contacts, means operated by the closing of the circuitfor engaging the clutch, means for auto- 'plane, of a record receiving table an `the arm swings, upperV matically returning the'tone'arm back to normal as the playing table descends, a pair of supplemental contacts, a, 'cam connected t the table supporting arm to open and close said contacts, and wires connecting the supplemental contacts to the main circuit to maintain the main circuit closed after the separating of the tone arm and coacting contacts.

18. In a record changing device, the combination with a table supporting arm swung at one end to move in a vertcal a playing table carried by the table arm, means for feeding a record onto the receiving table at each reciprocating movement of the arm, parallel inclined guideways between which the table arm is mounted and with which the edge portions of the record carried on the playing and receiving table engage to lift the records from such tables as the arm passes downwardly and down which the played record is adapted to slide to a suitable discharge, upper stopsin the guideways adapted to hold the received record *in the-upper position in the guideways during the discharge of the played record, and means for withdrawing the upper stops as the arm returns upwardly, lower stops, means for projectingthe lower stops into the guideways'to engage the rec- A ord freed by the upper stops and to position the same in the upward path of the playing table. l a- 19. In a device of the class described the combination with a rocking shaft, a table supporting arm carried by the shaft, a receiving and playing table carried by the arm, parallel inclined guides between which nd lowerrecord stops in the guides, and means for positioning the upper stops in the guide closing position and the lower stops in the guide opening position during the downward swing of the yarm and the upper stops in the guide opening position and the lower stops in the guide closing position during the upward swing of the arm to and through the guides. 20. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a table supporting arm mountedzto swing` in a vertical plane, of a playing'table carried by the arm, a tone arm adapted to carry a needle engaging the 'record grooves, an'inclined slideway eX- tending. upwardly lover the playing table. a carriage carried by the upper portion of the tone arm and engaging-the slideway when the playing table is lowered.

21. In a record changing device for phonographs, the combination with a main operating shaft and a tubular rocking shaft mounted in .suitable bearings, of a table supporting arm secured to the rocking shaft, an inner shaft journalled in the tubular shaft driven from the driving shaft,

' mechanism for reciprocatin a clutch connection between the driving shaft and the inner shaft, a shaft journalled within the table supporting. arm, a playing table suitably mounted on the end of the table supporting arm, a vertical shaft to which the playing table is secured, a gear connection between the vertical shaft and the shaft within the table supporting arm, a gear connection between the shaft within the table supporting arm and the shaft extending through the tubular rocking shaft, and means operated by the downward movement of the table supporting arinfor throwing out the clutch.

22. In a record changing device for phonographs, the combination with a main operating shaft and a tubular rocking shaft mounted in suitable bearings, of a table supporting arm secured to the rocking shaft, an in` ner shaft journallcd in the tubular shaft driven from the driving shaft, a clutch connection between the driving shaft and the inner shaft, a shaft journalled within the table supporting arm, a playing table suitably mounted on the end of the table supporting arm, a vertical shaft to which the playing table is secured, a gear connection between the vertical shaft and the shaft lwithin the table supporting arm, a. gear connection between the shaft within the table supporting arm and the shaft extending through the tubular rocking shaft, a cam secured to the tubular rocking shaft, and a lever fulcrumed against a suitable support and adapted to throw out the movable clutch member by the depression of the table arm.

23. In a record changing device for phonographs, the combination with a table supporting arm and a playing table carried thereby adapted to swing in a vertical plane, of inclined guideways having a hinged section at the lower end thereof forming an opening through which the discharged rec- 'ord is adapted to pass, downwardly and inwardly curved guides forming extensions of the inclined guides, a lip located at the opposite side of the aforesaid opening and adapted to engage the discharged record to coact with the inwardly curved guide to in-l vert a record as it passes downward, a pivoted extension to each of the curved guideways onto which the discharged record finally passes, and means operated by the downward swing of the table supporting arm for swinging the extension upwardly to hold the record in position to be engaged by the playing table as the table supporting arm swings upward on its return movement.

25. In a record changing device for phonographs, the combination with a main operating shaft and a tubular rocking shaft mounted in suitable bearings, of a table supporting arm secured to the rocking shaft, a playing table revolvably mounted upon the' arm, means for driving the playing table on the main shaft, a clutch device for connecting the table drive to the main shaft, and means operated by the rocking movement of the rocking shaft for opening and closing the connecting clutch.

26. ln a record changing device for phonographs, the combination with a table supporting arm of a playing table carried thereby and adapted to swing in a. vertical plane, of means operated during the downward swing of the arm for inverting a played record during the' downward swing of the arm and carrying it into position to be received by the playing table during the upward swing of the arm.

JOHN COLLINGW'OOD AREADE. GRAEME KEARNEY FISKEN.

24. Ina record changing device for phonographs, the combination with a table supporting arm adapted to swing in a vertical plane, of a playing table carried by the arm, the table arm le rack, a pin rack, a rocking including a vertically mova extending laterally from the 

